Growth and Survival of Some Microorganisms on Cotton Fabrics Treated with Extracts of Mesquite (Prospuis juliflora

Abstract

 The present study investigated the effects of the aqueous extracts of mesquite on growth and survival of two bacteria. The results of the study showed that the aqueous extracts of the different plant parts of mesquite were highly effective in suppressing bacterial growth. However, the aqueous extracts were more effective against the gram-positive bacterium (Staphylococcus  aureus) compared to the Gram-negative bacterium ( E. coli). Extracts of mesquite plant were also effective in decreasing the survival ability of the two tested bacteria on cotton fabrics, although the effects were more pronounced against the Gram-positive bacterium (Staphylococcus  aureus).